Native flutes, or flutes carved and used by Native American tribes, are highly coveted by musicians as well as art collectors. Not just instruments of music, native flutes are so intricately designed and so carefully crafted that even those who will never pick them up to play still want them for their decorative beauty.

There are several different types and styles of native flutes. They are as varied and unique as their designers and their history. The Hopi Indians created the “courting flute”, a native flute that was simple in design and beautiful in tone. There has been a renewed interest from musicians in this type of native flute, although there are some who have made, or are making, changes to its basic style for musical purposes, such as adding more holes to enhance tone range. The basic Hopi native flute, however, is still a valued instrument for many.

Native flutes were customarily used in Native American ceremonies during previous centuries, and are still used in Native American ceremonies today. Native flutes were used in such ceremonies as weddings, giving thanks to the gods for a good harvest or a good hunt, the appointing of a chief, or “coming of age” ceremonies for young men and women. Native flutes were played by both sexes in Native American ceremonies, and flute players’ talents were discovered at a young age and nurtured through adulthood. It was believed that flute players were given their special musical gift by the gods, and they were highly regarded.

These days, native flutes are still played by musical artists, mostly Native Americans, and can be heard in concerts and on special recordings. Though native flutes may no longer be only used in ceremonies, their beautiful haunting melodies make them the perfect instrument for relaxing, soothing music. A simple search on the Internet will bring up many results about famous native flute players and their recordings and concerts.

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